Government has assured the public that efforts in restoration of degraded ecosystems are registering positive results.
Accordingly the forest cover has been increased from 10% in 2015 to the current level of 13.3% of the total land area of the country.
For the long-term, Government is to restore the forest cover to the 1990 levels of 24% by 2040. The wetlands cover is on a positive trajectory to recovery with intact wetlands currently at 9.3% up from 8.9 % in 2021 of the total land area of the country.
This was disclosed at celebrations to observe the International Day for Diversity held at Bukiende Sub-county in Mbale District.
The day was commemorated in Bukiende Sub-county, Mbale District under this year’s national theme “Acting Locally to Restore Degraded Ecosystems”.
Additionally, the Mt Elgon project with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has so far restored 9,875 hact of forests and 127 ha of wetlands, while 269,911 ha of the Mt Elgon landscape are under sustainable land management practices.
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In the process, the project has so far reached out to 350,700 farmers of which 174,340 are women and 176,360 are men.
The Board Chairperson of the National Environment Management Authority Prof. James Okot-Okumu says local communities were mobilized and actively participated in the restoration activities in Kween and Mbale districts.
This came after the two districts were selected to concurrently carry out restoration activities to mark this year’s International Day for Diversity.
Speaking at the commemorative event this afternoon Eng. Maximo Twinomuhanji the principal Hydrologist at the Ministry of Water and Environment who represented the Permanent Secretary says local community participation is critical for success of restoration activities.
